Pipe-wrench



(No Model.)

T. W. BRYANT.

PIPE WRENCH. No. 429,258. Patented June 3, 1890.

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- Ankh a a a 55 E UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS WV. BRYANT, OF TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT.

PIPE-WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,258, dated June 3, 1890.

Application filed February 20, 1890. Serial No. 341,212. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, THOMAS W. BRYANT, citizen of the United States, residing at Torrington, in the county of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe-Wrenches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in wrenches; but more particularly does it appertain to the class of wrenches used for steam-fitters purposes, and in which a pair of serrated jaws are so disposed that one is capable of a slight forward and backward movement at an angle to the other, whereby the jaws will firmly grasp the object to be turned when the wrench is carried in one direction, but will slip upon the object when said wrench is carried in the reverse direction.

It is the object of my invention to produce a wrench which shall be simple in its construction, in which the parts shall be large and few in number, and in which the labor required in producing the finished wrench from the castings or forgings may be as slight as possible; and with these ends in view my invention consists in the construction and combination of elements hereinafter fully set forth, and then recited in the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may fully understand its construction and method of operation, I will describe the same in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which---- Figurel is a side elevation, partly in section, jaws rocked open. Fig. 2 is a similar position, jaws rocked closed. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation.

Like numerals denote the same parts in all 7 the figures.

1 is the lower jaw, having a serrated grasping-surface, andfl is a square sectional shank formed integral with said jaw and terminating in any suitable handle, as 8. At its rear side the jaw 1 is provided with two outwardlyextending ears 4, whose purpose will presently be explained, and immediately beneath these ears the shank is recessed for the accommodation of the operating-nut.

'5 is a block having therethrough two vertical openings. One of these openings surrounds the shank of the stationary jaw, and the front and rear walls of this opening are made convex, so that the block may have a slight rocking movement upon and relative to the shank. Both the shank and block are pierced, and a f ulcru m-pin 6 is driven through both of them by way of connection.

7 is the upper jaw, which, like the stationary jaw, is serrated, and 8 is a rectangular bar attached to or formed integral with said jaw and screw-threaded as to its front and rear edges. The bar just referred to passes between the ears 4 at the rear of the stationary jaw, and is thereby prevented from being moved laterally, and the lower end of said bar passes through an opening in the block 5 with a close sliding fit.

9 is the operating-nut which runs upon the screw-threaded bar, and which, when in assembled position, is prevented from moving longitudinally by its position in the recess, hereinbefore referred to as cut at the rear of the shank.

eration of my invention is as follows: By means of the operating-nut the upper jaw may be readily moved relative to the lower jaw, so as to accommodate pipes or rods of various sizes. Vhen the jaws of the wrench are adjusted to the size of the object it is desired to turn, and the handle of the wrench is carried in the direction indicated by the arrow 10, the block will be rocked upon the shank, so as to incline the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw, and thereby cause these two members conjointly to bite into the surface of the pipe or rod. \Nhen so rocked upon the shank, the strain upon the block will come upon the lower end of the outside convex surface and the upper end of the convex surface toward the screw-threaded shank. Reverse movement of the handle. rocks the block in the other direction and causes the jaws to loosen their hold upon the pipe, and the wrench may be carried back for a fresh hold.

hen organized as above set forth, the op- That part of the stationary jaw which is beween the cars at serves as afulcrnm-point between the block and the point of application of the upper jaw, thereby shortening the section of the bar 8 which is subjected to the strain.

I am aware that pipe-wrenches of the same general construction as the one herein shown and described have heretofore been madesuch, for instance, as are exhibited in the Letters Patent to Stillson, No. 95,714, and Vinton, N0. 39'7,618, and I do not wish to be understood as laying claim to the inventions set forth in either of these.

One of the principle advantages of my construction is the fact that the strain is entirely sustained by the larger parts of the Wrench, and not by any pivot or pin, as in wrenches hertofore made. The pin in my construction sustains no stress whatever, the entire strain being imparted by the shank directly to the convex surfaces on the block.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a pipe-wrench, the combination, with the shank provided with a suitable handle, of the stationary jaw, a pair of cars 4, extending outwardly at the rear of said jaw, the upper jaw 7, the rectangular screw-threaded bar 8, formed integral with said upper jaw and adapted to fitbetween the ears 4, the block 5,

having two vertical openings, one adapted-to inclose the bar 8 and the other inclosing the bar 2, and provided with two oppositelycurved rocking surfaces formed on the block and adjacent to said bar at either side, a pin passed through the block 5 and the shank, whereby said block is held as against movement in the direction of the length of the shank, and an operating-nut 9, interposed between the block 5 and the ears at, substantially as set forth.

2. In a wrench, the combination, with the stationary jaw and its shank, of the movable jaw having a screwthreaded bar, a nut for operating the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw, and the block 5, having two vertical openings, one inclosing and adapted to the exterior of the threaded bar, so that the latter may slide therein, and the other having its opposite walls conformed to curved surfaces oppositely arranged and adapted to engage the front and rear faces of the shank, and a pin whereby the relative position of the shank and block is maintained, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I al'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS \V. BRYANT.

Witnesses:

CHAS. L. McNnIL, ISAAC W. BRooKs. 

